Introduction to the Sacraments
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Transcript Introduction to the Sacraments
Before we learn about the seven
Catholic sacraments, we need to learn
about what a sacrament is.
What is a sacrament?
(broad definition; “sacrament with a
small s”)
God’s loving presence made visible
and tangible in our life here and now.
What is a sacrament?
God’s presence
Sacred, holy, but not just a nameless spirit, or
“special feeling”
A loving presence
a true experience of God must be an experience
of love
visible and tangible
an experience of the human senses
○ seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching
our life here and now
an experience of God today, while we are alive,
not just after we die
a
special appreciation of the sacred (that
is, God) in the world
• In our daily class prayer we say: “Let us
remember that we are in the holy presence of
God”
lack of awareness of the sacred in everyday life
Causes of sacramental dullness:
Busyness, distraction
Pain and suffering
Ignorance: Not knowing what to look for or where to
look
Paying attention: listening, seeing, being
focused
1.
•
Examples: meditation, prayer, retreats, physical
exercise
2.
Responding
• all true listening calls for a response
• an experience of God calls us to respond by
treating ourselves, others, the world, and God
differently
Kairos
Loaves and Fishes
Rock for Peace
Sacramental moments
After developing sacramental awareness, we may
begin to see God and the sacred in our daily lives
“Finding God in all things” St. Ignatius of Loyola
These sacramental moments can come after long
practice…
Or can be sudden and unexpected
“Look at the stars…”
“Remember who you are, Simba…”
“large S” Sacrament
According to the Church, a Sacrament is…
An outward sign instituted by Christ to give
grace
◦ Outward sign
Each sacrament is visible and tangible
Each sacrament uses signs, symbols, and rituals
◦ Instituted by Christ
Each sacrament can be traced back to something Jesus Christ
did
◦ To give grace
Each sacrament gives those who receive it certain gifts directly
from God
Sacraments can be divided into three groups
◦ Sacraments of Initiation
Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
◦ Sacraments of Healing
Reconciliation (also called Penance)
Anointing of the Sick
◦ Sacraments of Vocation
Matrimony (also called Marriage)
Holy Orders
Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation
◦ Considered “initiation rituals” because they make us
full members of the Church community
◦ At Easter Vigil, new adult members of the Church
receive all three of these Sacraments
Reconciliation
◦ Heals our relationships with God and each other
Anointing of the Sick
◦ Heals our body, mind or soul
Vocation means “calling”
◦ These sacraments affirm the life to which God has
called us
Matrimony
◦ Called to share our life with another person
Holy Orders
◦ Called to dedicate our life in service to Christ and
the community as a priest
Also called the Sacraments of Commitment,
because those receiving are committing themselves
to a way of life.
Symbols and Rituals
Each Sacrament has certain symbols and
rituals
◦ Symbol: something that represents
something else
Some symbols are obvious: water, bread, oil
Some are less obvious
Ex. What are the symbols used in Reconciliation?
◦ Ritual: a series of repeated symbolic actions
The Church calls these rites
Involves words, gestures, objects
Effects
Each Sacrament has certain effects on
the person receiving it
◦ Example: Baptism
Main effect is initiation into the Church
It also cleanses a person from Original Sin
IMPORTANT!!! This cleansing is not just symbolic,
but is actual. The water in Baptism really works.
History
Each Sacrament has a long, rich history
and has gone through many changes
1. How is it tied to events in the life of Jesus?
2. How was it practiced in early Church
3. How has it developed and changed in the
past 1500 years? What is it like today?